Ashih Tekleab Haile Memorial Fund

(Birkirkara, 23 July 2011) - The Eritrean community in Malta and friends of Ashih Tekleab Haile, with the support of Jesuit Refugee Service Malta, are raising funds to help his family at this difficult time.

“Our aim is to help his family to transport the body to Eritrea and to provide them with financial support at this moment. Ashih used to send money to his widowed mother and four unmarried siblings in Eritrea regularly, to help them to get by. They will surely find life very hard without his support so we feel we should help them as much as we can, particularly at this time,” said Goitom Yosief, from the Eritrean community in Malta.

Ashih lost his life tragically, Wednesday, 20 July 2011, when he was dragged into the sea as he struggled to rescue a drowning man. His family wish that he will be buried in his homeland, in line with Eritrean customs and traditions. However, transportation is expensive, so the Eritrean communities in Malta, Italy and other countries are raising funds to try to cover the costs.

“Ashih worked hard all his life; even in Malta, he and his wife struggled constantly to be able to move out of the Open Centre, rent their own flat and live independently. Yet, all along, in spite of the difficulties, he remained positive and he did his best to help others and make a difference. He supported his family because he really cared about them and knew that they could not manage without him. In fact, even now, his wife has pledged to continue to support them as much as she can, because she knows how much this meant to him,” said Mr Yosief.

Anyone wishing to support this initiative can do so by sending a cheque made out to JRS – Ashih Tekleab Fund, to JRS Malta, 50 Triq ix-Xorrox, Birkirkara BKR 1631 or by depositing money in one of these accounts: